5 perfect winter holiday destinations

Has your first day back in the office got you dreaming about escaping the rain and cold for somewhere warm and sunny? Travel blogger Monica shares her favourite destinations for the perfect winter holiday.

December to March have to be some of the toughest months to get through. It’s cold, it’s dark and it’s such a long time until summer, but don’t let the winter blues get you down. Why not break up the monotony of those long days and treat yourself to a winter escape somewhere hot and sunny? Imagine yourself lazing on a white sandy beach, sipping cocktails in the sun and cooling off in the clear blue sea. Sounds blissful, doesn’t it? Well, imagine doing this while all your friends and colleagues are shivering at home, stuck in the winter drizzle while you’re somewhere exotic. Sounds even better now, right?! Here are five of our favourite destinations for a perfect winter break.

Australia

Whitehaven Beach Australia

What better place to spend the UK winter than down under when their summer will be in full swing? Head to Sydney for iconic sights such as the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Darling Harbour to name just a few. Melbourne is where the cool kids hang out, as this city is often described as the style capital of Australia. Hang out in stylish bars and trendy cafés where professional baristas will whip up some of the best coffee you’ve ever tasted. Cairns is the place to be if you love nature and fancy taking a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef or up to Daintree National Park.

South Africa

Blyde River Canyon

South Africa has captivated travel lovers and animal lovers from all over the world, who have been enchanted by the national parks and safari options available in this beautiful country. This is your chance to see the big five in the wild and visit conservation reserves to see how the world’s animals are being protected. Head to the big cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town for world class bars and restaurants. While you’re there, you can’t miss a drive along the Garden Route, South Africa’s most famous drive.

New Zealand

The Bay of Wellington, New Zealand

Whether you’re attracted to the stunning and dramatic scenery, the adrenaline fuelled adventure activities, the food and wine or simply the weather, New Zealand is a great country for a winter break. Hiring a car or camper-van and taking a road trip is popular in New Zealand thanks to the easy driving conditions and beautiful routes available. Take your time and stop frequently for picnics and photo opportunities, which you’ll stumble upon around almost every corner!

Dubai

Camels on the beach in Dubai

If it’s glamorous luxury and incredible hotels you’re looking for, then Dubai is the place for your winter holiday. Hotels in Dubai take luxury and entertainment to a whole new level with some even hosting their own water parks and shopping malls! The temperature in Dubai between January to March will average a very pleasant 25 degrees C. Compare this to the summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 40 degrees and you can see that the winter months are a great time to travel to this destination.

Thailand

Railey Beach Thailand

Thailand is my favourite winter destination in the world thanks to the incredible beaches, the delicious food, the lovely people and the amount of things there are to do to keep you entertained.

Head to Northern Thailand to go trekking through the mountains and to stay with a local tribe. This is an unforgettable experience that I recommend to everyone! If you’d like to relax in the sun and maybe try some snorkelling or scuba diving then head to the southern islands for an idyllic beach break. It’s worth spending a few days in the buzzing city of Bangkok to get a true flavour of Thai culture and explore the many markets and temples around the city.

Are you going away this winter? If you are, let us know in the comments below. Go on, make us jealous!

About Monica

Monica is a travel blogger with a love for stylish adventures around the world. She blogs over on The Travel Hack about everything from weekend breaks, stylish hotels, exotic holidays and adventure travel.

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